Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the Department of Transportation has unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at restoring the dignity and strength of America’s trucking industry. On Friday, Duffy announced initiatives targeting illegal brokering, unsafe parking shortages, and the abuse of commercial driver’s licenses by foreign labor.
Truckers are among the most vital links in America’s supply chain, yet for years their needs were sidelined by bureaucrats and open-border policies. The Trump administration has reversed that trend. Following President Trump’s executive orders mandating English proficiency for commercial drivers, Duffy reinstated penalties for violations—rules previously discarded under the Obama administration.
Duffy also launched an aggressive audit of non-domicile commercial driver’s licenses. His goal: eliminate state-level abuses that allow non-citizens to undercut American truckers. This audit, Duffy said, will root out the exploitation of foreign labor that accelerated under President Biden’s border failures.
“We will not allow the last administration’s importation of cheap labor to undermine hard-working American truck drivers,” Duffy said.
In addition to enforcing stricter licensing standards, the administration is addressing a long-ignored safety issue—truck parking. With more than 3.5 million truck drivers operating daily, parking shortages have created significant safety hazards and economic losses. A 2019 DOT survey found that 98% of truckers struggle to find parking, costing drivers up to 12% of their pay.
The administration is investing $275 million in new truck parking facilities, with a focus on high-traffic corridors like I-95. These rest areas will support both freight and family travel, part of Duffy’s “Great American Road Trip” campaign celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In a bold deregulation move, Duffy announced an 1,800-word cut from federal trucking regulations, eliminating one-size-fits-all mandates and promoting more flexible work hours. These cuts are expected to reduce costs and support timely deliveries.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on American truckers stands in sharp contrast to prior administrations that prioritized globalism and regulatory overreach. By protecting American jobs, enforcing English standards, and investing in infrastructure, President Trump is delivering on his promise to make trucking great again.
